Sweet Days of Pickleball
By Cynthia Taylor
Mount Olive United Methodist Church
In the December 13, 2025, issue of e-Connection, a WMAR2 news story highlighted the forthcoming release of a book titled Sweet Days of Pickleball. This book captures the remarkable journey of the pickleball program initiated by Cynthia Taylor at Mount Olive United Methodist Church in Randallstown. The book has now been released, sharing this inspiring story with a wider audience.
Sweet Days of Pickleball, authored by Deborah Hardy and Clorie Tildon, details the origins and growth of the Mount Olive United Methodist Church’s pickleball program. What began as a small initiative quickly blossomed into a community with over 300 members in just over two and a half years. While Deborah Hardy is an experienced author, this book marks Clorie Tildon’s debut in publishing. At 85, Clorie is an active member of Union Memorial United Methodist Church in Baltimore; a newly appointed Global Ministries EarthKeeper; the Social Action Coordinator for the Harbor District United Women in Faith; a weekly tennis player; and a passionate pickleball enthusiast.
The Mount Olive Pickleball program started in 2019, thanks to Cynthia Taylor’s vision and the support of Lynn Coburn, a local pickleball pro and USA Pickleball Ambassador. Lynn provided initial instruction to the pastor and two church members and even loaned the church a net. She encouraged Cynthia to apply for a $500 USA Pickleball grant, which was used to purchase essential equipment. With help from Mount Olive member Reggie Owens, who invited others to join, the program began with church and community members, meeting on Wednesdays and Sundays. As interest grew, a Mission Innovation Grant from the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference enabled the purchase of more equipment and helped expand the program to Randallstown Community Center, offering play three days a week.
Cynthia Taylor connected with the Greater Purpose Christian Homeschool Group after reading to students at a Dr. Seuss event at her local senior center. Alongside Lynn, she led a pickleball class for the group during the COVID pandemic. This initial class evolved into regular spring and fall sessions, eventually moving to the community center, where several pickleball group members volunteered to teach students to play pickleball.
During the pandemic, Garfield Adams, a retired veteran and accomplished pickleball player, discovered Mount Olive Pickleball through the USAPA “Places to Play” directory. He began coaching and playing with Cynthia and helping her with the homeschool students after Lynn. He later became a certified pickleball trainer and offered free instruction to many program participants.
The Mount Olive Pickleball program welcomed players of all ages and backgrounds, quickly becoming a supportive and inclusive community. Participants built strong relationships, supported one another, and engaged in activities beyond the game itself. The group includes both experienced and novice players, embracing diversity and fostering fellowship. Sweet Days of Pickleball shares their stories, including a chapter on those who have competed and won in tournaments. Deborah and Clorie invited Cynthia to write the book’s foreword, further cementing her role in the program’s legacy.
Clorie Tildon now volunteers weekly at the Loaves and Fishes Pantry at Mount Olive, organizing food distribution. Garfield Adams assists with the setup for the church’s third Saturday Community meal. Other pickleball group members help with the church’s community garden, pantry, and participate in county meetings and programs at Mount Olive. The pickleball program continues to serve as a source of blessing for the church, its members, and the broader community.